OUTDOORS

Junior Bassmasters to compete in State Championship

Published: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 1:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 1:20 p.m.

A group of youngsters will travel south to Lake Okeechobee this weekend for a state bass fishing tournament with hopes of advancing to regionals.

The group from the Junior Bassmasters of Marion County will face off against others from around the state in the Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Junior State Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

Two age groups — 11 to 14 and 15 to 18 — will launch with an adult boater from the Marion County Bassmasters from Roland Martin's Marina in Clewiston and fish until 2 p.m. each day. There will be a five-fish limit with a 12 inch minimum.

The winner from each age division will advance to regionals. Last year, local fisherman Rayfe Marquis won the younger division at the state level. He'll return this year to defend his title as a 12 year old.

Meanwhile, the Marion County Bassmasters next tournament is July 13 on Johns Lake, which is just east of Clermont off State Road 50. The next meeting will be July 5 at Gander Mountain. In order to participate in the upcoming tournament you must either register at the club meeting or call one of the club officers before 9 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Call 572-3148 for more information.

ELITE TOURNAMENT: An open tournament at Rodman Reservoir is scheduled for Saturday. The event, which will be hosted by Elite Bait & Tackle, is from daylight until 3 p.m. Elite owner Terry Roberts reports that an angler reeled in a 10-pounder earlier this week and expects a few 8-pound bass to be caught Saturday.

To register, visit the shop at 3535 S.E. Maricamp Road, Suite 1010, in the Winn-Dixie plaza at 36th Avenue or call 857-6838 for more information. You can also register at the ramp Saturday morning.

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Contact Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com to contribute story ideas for this weekly column.

<p>A group of youngsters will travel south to Lake Okeechobee this weekend for a state bass fishing tournament with hopes of advancing to regionals.</p><p>The group from the Junior Bassmasters of Marion County will face off against others from around the state in the Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Junior State Championship on Saturday and Sunday.</p><p>Two age groups — 11 to 14 and 15 to 18 — will launch with an adult boater from the Marion County Bassmasters from Roland Martin's Marina in Clewiston and fish until 2 p.m. each day. There will be a five-fish limit with a 12 inch minimum.</p><p>The winner from each age division will advance to regionals. Last year, local fisherman Rayfe Marquis won the younger division at the state level. He'll return this year to defend his title as a 12 year old.</p><p>Locals joining Marquis in the 11- to 14-year-old class are Zachary Thompson, Alex Cook, Brett Pearson and Bo Warren.</p><p>In the 15- to 18-year-old division from the Marion County club are Ryan Crosby, Samuel Wheeler, Kyle Tomlinson, Beau Clymer, Austin Thompson, Lauren Warren, Dustin Mullins, Brennan Rogers and Jacob Lawson.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Marion County Bassmasters next tournament is July 13 on Johns Lake, which is just east of Clermont off State Road 50. The next meeting will be July 5 at Gander Mountain. In order to participate in the upcoming tournament you must either register at the club meeting or call one of the club officers before 9 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Call 572-3148 for more information.</p><p><b>ELITE TOURNAMENT:</b> An open tournament at Rodman Reservoir is scheduled for Saturday. The event, which will be hosted by Elite Bait & Tackle, is from daylight until 3 p.m. Elite owner Terry Roberts reports that an angler reeled in a 10-pounder earlier this week and expects a few 8-pound bass to be caught Saturday.</p><p>To register, visit the shop at 3535 S.E. Maricamp Road, Suite 1010, in the Winn-Dixie plaza at 36th Avenue or call 857-6838 for more information. You can also register at the ramp Saturday morning.</p><p>------</p><p><i>Contact Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com to contribute story ideas for this weekly column.</i></p>